Walnut – The Witchcraft

Juglans spp.

There are several walnut tree species, each producing a slightly different nut. The fruit itself is actually a drupe or drupe, the nut being the “rock” inside. The fruit must be fully ripe to reveal the stone inside. The stone is protected by a hard shell in which an edible kernel is protected by an antioxidant-rich seed coat that protects the oils in the nut from going rancid and allows it to retain its freshness even when the fruit has become quite distasteful and removed.

Walnut trees can grow very large, up to 100 feet tall with a spread of up to 70 feet, and can live 100 years. The compound leaves can contain 20 leaflets

contain. Beautiful, durable, and versatile, walnut wood is used to make furniture, cabinets, railings, and flooring.

Walnut trees can make impressive shade trees, although many find them untidy, dropping catkins in spring and fruit in fall. Their leaves appear fairly late in the season, so they’re great for homes that want to collect passive solar heat in the winter and spring, but want some shade in the heat of summer. These leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Black walnuts secrete chemicals into the soil that prevent competing plants from growing nearby. If companion plants are not carefully considered, their garden plans may be hampered by this tenancy. However, if you don’t enjoy mowing and weeding, a walnut tree may be just what you need for that corner of the yard you choose to neglect. Most Native American wildflowers and shrubs and many shade-loving plants are tolerant to juglone, but most garden plants, such as tomatoes and cabbage, are damaged or killed by the toxin (beans and turnips are tolerant).

Walnut is also a wonderful tree for those who enjoy wildlife as it provides food and shelter to many species.

Walnuts require special care when young: regular watering and a deep mulch (not actually touching the bark) will help get them off to a good start.

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It takes 4 to 10 years for a walnut tree to bear fruit and generally only bears a heavy harvest every two years.

Juglans regia English walnut, Persian walnut from Persia, the most commonly available walnut is fairly easy to shell, travels well and has good flavor.

Juglans nigra Black Walnut comes from the USA. It has a stronger flavor than English walnuts, but does not shell as easily, so while it is commercially available, it is not as popular with commercial growers. This is the tallest walnut species and can grow up to 100 feet but typically 50-75. The fruits grow in clusters. The bark emits a black dye that can stain fingers and is very useful for artists and craftsmen.

Juglans cinerea Butternut or White Walnut- Native to the Northeastern United States, it grows to about 60 feet tall. Nuts are tasty and rich in oil.

Juglans californica California Black Walnut – Commonly used as a rootstock for commercially grafted English walnuts.

Juglans major Arizona Walnut – Native to the American Southwest, this tree is hardiest in drier areas. It is small and shrubby, usually around 20 feet tall. The nuts have thin, hairy shells.

Harvesting and storing walnuts

Walnuts often fall to the ground on their own as they begin to ripen, you can encourage stragglers by hitting the branches with a pole.

Walnuts should be stored in a cool, dry place in a pest-proof container, away from light. Temperatures around 86 degrees and humidity above 70% promote the growth of toxin-producing molds. Unshelled walnuts have a longer shelf life than shelled walnuts. Refrigerating walnuts extends their shelf life.

walnuts in the kitchen

Walnuts are a nutrient-dense source of vegetable protein and fats. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenol antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin E, manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium.

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Walnuts add a wonderful touch to baked goods like fruit bread and cakes, and are delicious on salads, too. They’re also delicious on their own, raw, roasted, candied, or pickled. Walnuts can be ground for nut butters or pressed for walnut oil. Walnut oil has a low smoke point, so it’s best used raw, such as in salad dressings.

Walnuts can be used as a substitute for pecans in most recipes.

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walnuts for healing

Walnuts are a great addition to a healthy diet to help maintain overall health. Studies suggest that daily consumption of walnuts can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, provided the overall diet follows recommendations for general nutrient intake. (That said, walnuts are fat-dense in calories. It’s not helpful to increase fat and calorie intake by eating walnuts, but rather other less nutritious foods high in fat or calories.)

Walnuts have been used in folk medicine for a variety of nervous system disorders and for parasites.

Walnut oil is a good carrier oil for products for dry or aging skin.

Walnuts in Magic

Sacred to Zeus, Jupiter and Thor, the walnut tree corresponds to the planet Jupiter or (perhaps Sun) and the element Earth (or perhaps Fire).

Walnut wood makes a wonderful wand and wand for those who use their wand or wand for weatherwork, abundance, insight, healing, focus, prosperity, creativity and motivation. Walnut wood also makes exceptional and beautiful rune stones and spirit boards.

Ink made from walnuts (black walnut produces the darkest color) is excellent for writing spells on paper and for writing in one’s book of shadows and for darkening wooden magical tools.

To grant a wish/develop an intention, crack open an English walnut, take out the flesh and eat. On a very small piece of paper, write your intent as a positive statement “I am/have a thing” (as opposed to what I wish I had or will have or I am not/not etc.). Fold and insert into your walnut shell, close the shell and seal with glue or wax. Bury it outside to “grow” your intent. Say it out loud while planting. (Feel free to augment this with appropriate oils, incense, candles, chants, etc. that suit your intention.)

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You can also use an English walnut shell to create an abundance charm. Open the shell and remove the kernel as above. Add small objects corresponding to abundance or the element of earth or the planet Jupiter or the sun and anoint them with an oil of abundance. Seal with wax or glue and take with you or hang up at home. You can elaborate this spell with whatever candles, incense, chants, etc. you see fit.

Other uses for walnuts

Most walnut shells can be oxidized to produce a dark brown or black ink, but black walnut is the best. It creates a deep, rich ink or dye for fabrics or hair. Both Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt used walnut ink.

Finely ground walnut shells can be added to detergents as an exfoliant.

Warnings

Walnuts and walnut oil should be used with caution or not at all by those allergic to other nuts and nut oils.

Hoof problems and respiratory problems have been reported in horses kept near walnut trees or using walnut wood chips as bedding.

When fallen walnut shells ferment, mold grows and can produce a toxin that can sicken any animals that ingest it. Pick up walnuts that fall quickly if you have dogs, and discard any walnuts that show significant rot in case the toxin has leached into the kernel.